1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

Trump's recent comments casting doubt on the legitimacy of Supreme Court rulings should concern all who believe in the rule of law and separation of powers. No president can unilaterally override court decisions they disagree with. Threatening the judicial branch for upholding the Constitution erodes democracy. The President must respect the authority of the courts and their role as a co-equal branch of government in interpreting laws and striking down executive overreach. Failure to do so undermines the foundations of the American system of checks and balances designed to prevent any single leader from amassing unchecked power. For the nation to maintain its democratic principles, the independence of the judiciary must be safeguarded from any efforts to influence or intimidate judges based on desired outcomes in particular cases.